Winter in the Sandhills is weird. Honestly, if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill. You wake up and it’s 34°F—exactly what it is right now in Southern Pines—and by lunch, you’re wondering why you wore a heavy wool coat to the Pinecrest Plaza.
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a perfect example of that Southern Pines "mood swing."
The Hourly Breakdown for Saturday
Right now, it’s a crisp 34°F outside. It feels more like 27°F because of a light 8 mph breeze coming out of the south. If you're heading out for an early morning coffee at Java Bean or walking the dog through downtown, definitely grab the gloves. The sky is mostly clear but with those periodic clouds that keep things looking a bit moody.
As we move through the morning, things change. We’re heading toward a high of 55°F. That’s a 21-degree jump.
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Basically, the day is split into two acts:
- The Daytime: Expect a lot of clouds. The chance of rain stays low—around 20%—so you’re probably fine for a round of golf or hitting the trails at Weymouth Woods. The wind picks up a bit, shifting to the southwest at about 14 mph.
- The Evening: This is where it gets messy. After dark, the temperature drops back toward a low of 36°F. The rain chance jumps to 65%. We’re talking actual showers, not just a misty "maybe."
Why the Sandhills Weather is So Unpredictable
People always ask why the weather southern pines nc hourly updates seem to change every time they refresh their phones. It’s the sand. Literally.
Southern Pines sits on a massive deposit of ancient coastal sand. This soil doesn't hold heat like the clay in Raleigh or the loams toward Charlotte. It heats up fast and cools down even faster. Meteorologists at the NC State Climate Office often point out that the Sandhills can experience "micro-climates" where it might be freezing in a low-lying valley near a golf course while it’s five degrees warmer just a mile up the road.
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Current data shows our humidity is sitting at 53%. That’s relatively dry for us, which is why that 34°F temperature feels so "sharp" this morning.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
We are currently in a La Niña pattern for the 2025-2026 winter season. According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center, this usually means we get less rain than usual. However, "less rain" doesn't mean "no rain," as tonight’s 65% chance of showers proves.
Typically, January in Southern Pines sees highs around 52°F. Today’s 55°F is slightly above average, which has been a bit of a trend lately. We aren’t seeing the record-breaking 80°F days that sometimes pop up in late January (like back in 2024), but it’s certainly not a "polar vortex" situation either.
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Survival Tips for Today
If you're out and about, here is the move.
Layers are your best friend. Start with a base layer for the 34-degree morning, but make sure your outer shell is something you can toss in the backseat by 2:00 PM.
Since the wind is coming from the southwest at 14 mph later today, it’s going to feel a bit blustery. If you’re playing 18 holes, that wind will definitely mess with your club selection on the back nine.
Most importantly, keep an eye on the clock. That rain isn't coming until the "nighttime" portion of the forecast, but in North Carolina, "nighttime" can sometimes mean a 5:30 PM surprise.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your gutters before the 65% rain chance hits tonight. With the low dropping to 36°F, any standing water on your porch or driveway might get slick if the temp dips just a couple of degrees lower than predicted. If you have outdoor plants that aren't fans of the mid-30s, bring them in before you go to bed.